April showers brings May flowers, right? If you’re in California where rainy days are scarily few and far between right now, you’d probably consider yourself lucky to get dumped on. Well, let this be in an effort to rally the storm clouds then. And regardless of where you are, as you head out camping over the next few weeks, it’s best to be prepared for anything and everything. Savvy campers and backpackers know that inclement weather is always a possibility: many popular trails and wilderness destinations are criss-crossed by microclimates, meaning it can literally be raining in one square mile and sunny in another.
So, as spring sneaks closer, we got some pro tips for wet weather camping from James Dong, who runs Last Minute Gear, a San Francisco-based gear rental company. James’ take on how to avoid (and recover from) soggy long-johns and a puddle in your tent:
First, some key pointers for camping and hiking in the rain that will make can make your trip way more pleasant.
1. Pick your campsite location wisely:
2. Pitch a solid tent and keep it dry:
3. Hike with extra attention to:
Let’s say it’s really coming down and you’ve followed our advice above. Still, a mildly unpleasant scenario can become dangerous in the backcountry. Wet and cold can cause hypothermia, so it’s super important to be able to dry off quickly and stay warm and dry. Some gear that’ll help you fight the damp:
Packing List
Super-must-have:
Nice-to-have:
Depending on how bad the weather is, the trails may be completely un-walkable, and you may be cooped up in a tent together with nothing to do. That said, if you plan ahead and adventure with the right group of people who make the best of any situation, I promise that you can return from a rain-soaked adventure with wide smiles, happy memories, and awesome stories. Plus, camping isn’t supposed to always be easy – that’s what makes it fun!
Good luck, and happy (wet-weather) camping! [Cue the Hipcamp team’s weekly rain-dance.]
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